Dive into new Swimming in Plastic collection
Sustainability in fashion is of the utmost importance and one Irish designer leading the charge and a personal favourite of mine is Aoife McNamara.
Aoife has just launched her exclusive collection Swimming in Plastic with Brown Thomas and is now the first Irish BCorp certified fashion label carried with the brand. In a world where the vibrant greens of the ocean are marred by the harsh reality of floating plastic, the Swimming in Plastic collection emerges as a poignant reminder of the overlooked crisis beneath our waves.
This five-piece capsule collection draws inspiration from the juxtaposition of natural beauty and human-made pollution, weaving together hues of oceanic greens and vivid plastic tones. Each garment is meticulously crafted with geometric shapes and bold cut lines, reflecting the fragmented reality of our marine environment. Utilizing sustainable and locally sourced fibres, this collection not only highlights the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also champions a commitment to conscious fashion.
Swimming in Plastic invites you to confront the uncomfortable truth: while we turn a blind eye, our oceans and children play amidst a sea of waste. Let these pieces spark a conversation and inspire change, one stitch at a time.
The fabric and silhouettes are timeless and with love and care will be pieces you’ll cherish in your wardrobe. These are investment pieces that combine style, luxury and sustainability to give your styling a unique feel.
Aoife McNamara said: “As a designer, I strive to highlight the urgent crisis our oceans face. Swimming in Plastic is more than a collection; it's a desperate call to action. By juxtaposing the natural beauty of the sea with the harsh reality of pollution, I hope to highlight the urgent need for change.
“We must confront this crisis and take meaningful steps to protect our planet, one stitch at a time. It means so much to me as an independent designer that Brown Thomas are shining a light on sustainable fashion and making moves to ensure that sustainability is as important to their ethos as mine, moving forward.”
Aoife McNamara is also delighted to have some of her best-selling hero pieces available in Brown Thomas as part of the classics collection, including her She Means Business top, bow blouse, duchess satin dress in cream and navy, the Ireland corset and beautifully tailored navy long coat.
The Aoife McNamara collection launches in Brown Thomas Dundrum and on Brown Thomas online from 17 October in sizes XS to XL.
Speaking of sustainability, I attended a fashion event last week and one of the collections on the catwalk was Preloved from Barnardos charity shops. It was great to see these fabulous outfits styled from preloved clothes and it shows how it is now a regular way for many people of putting together outfits by thrifting and combing through charity shops.
Many labels now even offer a space online where you can shop preloved clothing from other customers and it’s a fantastic way to shop, save money and all the while being that bit more thoughtful about our fashion consumption. I do understand that sometimes buying from sustainable labels can be a bit more expensive so I would save up for the more classic pieces and then thrift and buy second hand for other pieces.
This mix makes it a lot more affordable and shows no matter what your budget there’s a way to be more sustainable in our fashion choices.